by Jennifer Hockenbery
“The quilting bee . . . often served as a subversive space for promoting women’s suffrage, financial independence, to carry political messages or to raise money for their cause while appearing to be a group of women just chatting while they made objects for their home.” Sarah Corbett wrote in “How to be a Craftivist.” (Unbound, 2017) p. 9.I was given, this fall, a beautiful quilt made by the women of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois. I was present at their annual blessings of the quilts, which they then sent to Lutheran World Relief. The quilt they gave me was covered in roses and other pink flowers. A favorite part of the gift for me was that I had the opportunity to embellish the flowers with embroidery throughout the long winter—adding my own touches to the blanket. I love this quilt—I feel sewn into the community of women of the ELCA.
I come from a family where we often pass quilt creation down through the generations. When my great-aunt passed away, my grandmother found that she had left a set of 50 quilt squares—each hand-embroidered with a state bird. My grandmother sewed them together, added a few blank squares to finish the pattern, and then sewed the quilt pieces together. She added the batting and the backside. She then asked a neighbor woman to finish the hand quilting and gifted the quilt to me. I gave it to my son when he outgrew the baby quilt I had made him. It was a gift made by three different women, two of whom he never met, that showed such love. He showed this quilt to his girlfriend when they visited some years back with such pride and joy. I was touched that he was still moved by it. When they got married, his bride handmade a quilt for each bridesmaid to show her appreciation for their friendship.
Quilting has long been a way for women (and not just women of course, but especially women) to create art, to create comfort, to create beauty for themselves and others. So many of the Women of the ELCA units are bound together by quilting today. It is such an easy way to join the group, such an easy way to invite someone new. I love looking at the quilts hanging in my church or being packed up to be shipped to LWF at SWO conventions I attend.
I am looking forward to seeing the quilts that will be exhibited at the Triennial Gathering in Des Moines. These quilts will show what “I am worthy” means to the quilters who made them. Quilts can be small wall hangings or full bed-sized quilts. They can be made by individuals or done in community. Feel free to find a friend who loves quilting to finish your quilt top!
Find out more about the Quilt Challenge and how to enter. We can’t wait to see what you will create.
Dr. Jennifer Hockenbery is interim executive director for Women of the ELCA and editor of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics.